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Shock formation in supersonic cluster jets and its effect on axially modulated laser-produced plasma waveguides
S J Yoon1, A J Goers, G A Hine
1Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Abstract:
We examine the generation of axially modulated plasmas produced from cluster jets whose supersonic flow is intersected by thin wires. Such plasmas have application to modulated plasma waveguides. By appropriately limiting shock waves from the wires, plasma axial modulation periods can be as small as 70 μm, with plasma structures as narrow as 45 µm. The effect of shocks is eliminated with increased cluster size accompanied by a reduced monomer component of the flow.
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